2 answers
Zackary
Student
4
Questions
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How many different fields are there in aerospace engineering?
10th grader who is undecided on what I want to be when I grow up but I'm curious with this career. #aerospace #engineer
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2 answers
Peter Coffee
Business Strategy and Technology Consultation
14
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Peter’s Answer
I know people who have started with an aerospace engineering degree and wound up being essentially applied mathematicians (developing new algorithms for autonomous cars or drones, for example); or being very, very, very complicated model builders (doing scale model prototypes of new aircraft or spacecraft); or being project managers who spend most of their time with budgets and schedules; or working with astronauts on training for flight operations; or, yes, being astronauts or pilots of other kinds. Even if you're going to be in a cockpit, a deep knowledge of the systems in your craft is needed; even if you never touch a piece of hardware, appreciating the physicality of what's going on can prevent stupid or even dangerous oversights in writing the math (or the code that performs the math) that makes stuff work.
Whether you want to be a professor or a Navy SEAL, an aerospace engineering degree and the things you do while getting one are likely to make life interesting and create career options.
Whether you want to be a professor or a Navy SEAL, an aerospace engineering degree and the things you do while getting one are likely to make life interesting and create career options.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Zackary,
I live in Texas so I immediately think about jobs at NASA. I would recommend that you begin looking at resources online. Here is a link that I like because it is a government site. Plus it has some salary information that might be interesting for you. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
I would add this layer to your research - what is it about aerospace engineering that attracts your attention? The job title makes me think about NASA. I would think an interest in astronomy and flying would be critical. Maybe a desire to create machines that fly or fly in something yourself. What hobbies or interests do you have today that tie to aerospace engineering? I would say that an interest in math, mechanical engineering, astrophysics, and computer programming are probably important.
There are a lot of resources online. Just start with your dreams and see if you can find your dream job through looking through the resources.
Gloria
I live in Texas so I immediately think about jobs at NASA. I would recommend that you begin looking at resources online. Here is a link that I like because it is a government site. Plus it has some salary information that might be interesting for you. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm
I would add this layer to your research - what is it about aerospace engineering that attracts your attention? The job title makes me think about NASA. I would think an interest in astronomy and flying would be critical. Maybe a desire to create machines that fly or fly in something yourself. What hobbies or interests do you have today that tie to aerospace engineering? I would say that an interest in math, mechanical engineering, astrophysics, and computer programming are probably important.
There are a lot of resources online. Just start with your dreams and see if you can find your dream job through looking through the resources.
Gloria